HI AGAIN TO ALL MEMBERS, OLD AND NEW ALIKE!
Tomorrow will mark the 18th week since I broke another bone in my Spine!
I can't believe it's happened again and I don't even know why it did!
I have spent the last 18 weeks with the eldest two of my grown up kids helping me
manage everyday things in the house. My eldest son had just got a new flat and hasn't been able to move
into it yet because of me. But I really feel that he has to move into it very soon now, because it's just not fair on him.
I have to take Co-Codamol on prescription from my G.P 3 times per day for the pain, it was 4 times per day at first and I gradually managed to get by
on the 3 doses.
I had an X ray, then an M.R.I scan, then a DEXA scan, then a Nerve conduction test and muscle test because after a couple of weeks my
right foot became semi paralyzed due to this new fracture. (I'm told it's improving now.)
I first
became aware of the right foot, because every time I walked down the stairs my right slipper would just fall off my foot two or three times!
I also noticed that when walking on a hard surface the sound made by my right foot sandal sounded different to my left foot sandal.
The evening after the day of my M.RI Scan I actually fell really badly on the pavement going up to the local Co-Op and really badly tore up my left knee.
After the initial shock I just sat on the pavement and sobbed!
Luckily my dear boyfriend of nearly 19 years, Steve, was with me and comforted me and took me around the Co-Op and then back home.
I know I'm 55 now, but I felt more like 105!
I was told by my Rheumatologist that it was not an R.A drugs related thing, these Spinal fractures and I don't have Osteoporosis, just Osteopeania which is at the
low end of normal bone density. But he said that I am of quite a slight build and so the low end of "normal" is, well "normal"!
Also I have lost a stone since my last spine fracture 3 years ago. (That amazed me because I had been sitting about in a chair in my kitchen for nearly 9
weeks prior to the Rheumatologist wanting to know what my weight was. I am 9st 11lbs now.) I never weigh myself so would not have known otherwise.
Anyway, on a brighter note, I managed to get over to Spain from the 21st to 25th September and bought some nice wine on the ship coming back.
The weather in northern Spain actually got really warm, like the final burst of Summer while we were there and Steve and I had sun tans by the time
we got back!
Steve calculated that I was walking 7 miles or so on both the days that we were there, I was very impressed when he said that.
Staying in the Hotel and on the Ship was fantastic, no housework, cooking, etc. My back only twinged once!
But now that I'm at home again things are getting painful and I watch the clock for painkiller time.
R.A wise, as last time, miraculously, the R.A stiffness etc seems to virtually go while the pain in my spine is so bad!
I have no idea why and neither does the Rheumatologist!
Well, that's my latest news.
Warmest wishes to you all.
Fiona
